Sensor washing device
A sensor washing device that includes a washer housing that has a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The fluid source attachment is configured to receive fluid. The ring portion has a main opening for receiving a detecting head of the sensor, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, and a washing side configured to frame the detecting head of the sensor. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid to the washer side radially inwardly towards the main opening for cleaning the detecting head of the sensor.
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The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/428,706, entitled Camera Lens Washing Device, filed on Feb. 9, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/267,938, entitled Camera Lens Washing Device, filed on Sep. 16, 2016, the subject matter of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a device for effectively and efficiently washing a vehicle component or instrument, such as a sensor, mounted on the vehicle, where the device has a simplified design with no impact on the detecting function of the sensor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONInstruments associated with vehicles, such as sensors and cameras, often become dirty due to environmental and weather conditions, thereby impacting safe driving. Cleaning devices exists to address this problem. See, for example, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2016/0103316 to Rousseau, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2016/0101735 to Trebouet, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2016/0001330 to Romack et al, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2015/0344001 to Lopez Galera et al., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2015/0343999 to Lopez Galera et al., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2015/0203077 to Gokan, and U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0292212 to Tanabe et al., the subject matter of each of which is herein incorporated by reference. However, such conventional cleaning devices are often ineffective, bulky, and obstruct the sensor's head or camera's field of view.
Therefore, a need exists for a washing device that effectively and efficiently cleans the detecting head of a vehicle sensor that also has a compact profile and does not obstruct the detection function of the sensor's head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the present invention may provide a camera lens washing device that includes an outer housing that has a main opening for receiving a camera lens, an attachment end configured to mount to a camera housing of the camera lens, and an exposed end remote from the attachment end. The exposed end includes an end face that has a recessed area extending inwardly therefrom. An inner ring is received in the recessed area of the outer housing which is configured to frame the camera lens. A plurality of nozzles are defined between the outer housing and the inner ring. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid radially inwardly towards the camera lens. The inner ring may be substantially stationary with respect to the outer housing.
The present invention may also provide a camera lens washing device that includes an outer housing that has a main opening for receiving a camera lens. The main opening has opposite top and bottom sides. The outer housing also has an attachment end configured to mount to a camera housing of the camera lens and an exposed end remote from the attachment end. The exposed end includes an end face that has a recessed area extending inwardly therefrom. An inner ring is received in the recessed area of the outer housing which is configured to frame the camera lens. A plurality of nozzles are defined between the outer housing and the inner ring. The plurality of nozzles may be disposed at or near the top side of the main opening of the outer housing such that the plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid radially inwardly towards the bottom side of the main opening of the outer housing.
The present invention may further provide a camera lens washing device that comprises a unitary one-piece washer housing that includes a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a main opening for receiving a camera lens, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, such as in a shroud, and a washing side configured to frame the camera lens. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid to the washer side radially inwardly towards the main opening for receiving the camera lens. In a preferred embodiment, the washer housing is a compact design.
The present invention may yet further provide camera lens washing device that comprises a shroud that has a front face, a rear opening opposite the front face, and an inner receiving area therebetween. The front face has a lens opening for receiving a camera lens. A washer housing is disposed in the receiving area of the shroud. The washer housing includes a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a main opening that is generally aligned with the lens opening of the shroud for receiving the camera lens, an attachment side that is configured to mount the washer housing to the shroud, and a washing side that is configured to frame the camera lens. The washing side is in fluid communication with said fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid to the washer side and radially inwardly towards the main opening for receiving the camera lens. In a preferred embodiment, the washer housing is a compact design such that when received in the shroud, the top wall of the shroud covers the fluid source attachment which extends through the rear opening of the shroud.
The present invention may still yet further provide a sensor washing device that includes a washer housing that has a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The fluid source attachment is configured to receive fluid. The ring portion preferably has a main opening for receiving a detecting head of the sensor, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, and a washing side configured to frame the detecting head of the sensor. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzles may be disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The plurality of nozzles may be configured to discharge fluid to the washer side radially inwardly towards the main opening for cleaning the detecting head of the sensor.
The present invention may also provide a sensor washing device that comprises a sensor that has a detecting head; a shroud that has a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and an inner receiving portion, where the front wall preferably has an opening that receives the detecting head of the sensor lens; and a washer housing that is coupled to a front face of the receiving portion of the shroud. The washer housing includes a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The fluid source attachment is configured to receive fluid. The ring portion preferably has a main opening generally aligned with the opening of the front wall of the shroud, an attachment side configured to mount the washer housing to the shroud, and a washing side that frames the detecting head of the sensor where the washing side is in fluid communication with said fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzles may be disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The plurality of nozzles may be configured to discharge fluid to the washer side and radially inwardly towards the main opening that frames the detecting head of the sensor.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing figures:
Referring to the figures, the present invention relates to a washing device 100 (
As seen in
Outer housing 102 generally includes a main body 110 that may be substantially ring shaped and includes a main opening 112 therein for receiving the camera lens 10. One end of main body 110 is an attachment end 114 configured to mount to a camera housing 12 of the lens 10. The other end of main body 110 is an exposed end 116, as best seen in
Exposed end 116 of outer housing 102 includes an end face 130. A recessed area 132 extends inwardly from end face 130 for accepting inner ring 104. Extending inwardly from main opening 112 are spaced tabs 134 which define fluid path slots 136 therebetween, as best seen in
Inner ring 104 is configured and sized to frame the camera lens 10, as best seen in
A plurality of channels 150 are provided in inner diameter surface 144 of inner ring 104, as best seen in
Remote from channels 150 is an alignment member 154 that corresponds to alignment member 138 of outer housing 102 to ensure proper alignment between inner ring 104 and outer housing 104 to form the nozzles 106. In one embodiment, alignment member 154 may be a protruding flange (
Other alignment or keying methods may be used as long as channels 150 and slots 136 are substantially aligned in order to form the nozzles 106. Nozzles 106, including tabs 134 and channels 150, are preferably located at or near the top side 120 of main opening 112 such that fluid from fluid source attachment 124 can flow downwardly through slots 136 and channels 150 so that nozzles 106 discharge the fluid directly onto the camera lens 10. And because nozzles 106 are on the top of the lens 10, gravity will subsequently wash away the fluid from the lens 10. In a preferred embodiment, none of the nozzles 106 are located at the bottom, that is the bottom side 122 of the main opening 112 such that the nozzles 106 are only provided near or at top side 120. The nozzles 106 may be evenly spaced from one another and radially arranged with respect to the lens 10, as best seen in
A sealing member 160 (
Camera lens washing device 100″ comprises a washer housing 800 that includes a ring portion 802, a fluid source attachment 804, and a transition portion 806 therebetween. As seen in
Fluid source attachment 804 of washer housing 800 extends from transition portion 806 in a direction away from washing side 814 and toward the direction in which attachment side 812 faces, as best seen in
One or more nozzles 820 are disposed on transition portion 806 at the top 816 of ring portion 802 on the washing side 814 thereof. Each nozzle 820 is designed to discharge fluid received from fluid source attachment 804 generally radially inwardly and downwardly towards main opening 810 and the camera lens 10, in a similar manner as the above embodiments. The bottom 818 of the ring portion 802 does not include any nozzles 820. That is, the nozzles 820 are disposed only at or near the top 816 of ring portion 802. Bottom 818 may include a lateral slot 822 (
As seen in
Shroud 200″ generally includes a front face 900, a rear opening 902 opposite the front face 900, an inner receiving area 906, opposite sidewalls 910 and 912 extending between front face 900 and rear opening 902, and top and bottom walls 914 and 916 extending between sidewalls 910 and 912, as best seen in
Front face 900 has a lens opening 906 sized to accept ring portion 802 of washer housing 800 and the camera lens 10. As seen in
Washer housing 800 is compact in nature such that it can be received inside shroud 200″, that is in inner receiving area 904, such that fluid source attachment 804 does not extend through or from any walls, including front face 900, sidewalls 910 and 912, and top and bottom walls 914 and 916 of shroud 200″ and instead only extends through rear opening 902. In other words, as best seen in
The main opening 810 of the ring portion 802 of washer housing 800 is configured to receive a portion of sensor 20, such as the detecting head 22 of sensor 20. A protective lens 24 may be provided around the sensor head 22. The attachment side 812 of ring portion 802 is configured for mounting washer housing 800 to shroud 200″′, in a manner similar to that described above with regard to engagement members 830 (
As seen in
Shroud 200″′ generally includes a front wall 1000, a rear wall 1002, an inner receiving portion 1004, sidewalls 1010 and 1012 extending between front wall 1000 and rear wall 1002, and top and bottom walls 1014 and 1016. Front wall 1000 has an opening 1006 that receives the detecting head 22 of sensor 20. Opening 1006 preferably includes an extension 1008 that extends from an outer surface of front wall 1000. Extension 1008 may receive the ring and transition portions 802 and 806 of washer housing 800. A body section 1009 inside of shroud 200″′ is shaped to receive the body 26 of sensor 20.
When washer housing 800 is assembled with shroud 200″′, fluid source attachment 804 rests in a recessed cutout portion 1018 of the shroud's top wall 1014, as best seen in
While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A sensor washing device, comprising:
- a washer housing including a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, said fluid source attachment being configured to receive fluid, and said ring portion having, a main opening for receiving a detecting head of the sensor, an attachment side configured for mounting said washer housing, and a washing side configured to frame the detecting head of the sensor, said washing side being in fluid communication with said fluid source attachment, and a plurality of nozzles being disposed in a transition portion of said washer housing between said ring portion and said fluid source attachment of said washer housing, said plurality of nozzles being configured to discharge fluid to said washer side radially inwardly towards said main opening for cleaning the detecting head of the sensor, and said plurality of nozzles being defined by a plurality of tabs extending from said transition portion toward said main opening of said ring portion, thereby forming fluid path slots of said plurality of nozzles therebetween,
- wherein said washer housing, said ring portion, and said transition portion are stationary with respect to one another.
2. A sensor washing device according to claim 1, wherein
- said fluid source attachment extends from said transition portion in a direction away from said washing side of said ring portion at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said ring portion.
3. A sensor washing device according to claim 2, wherein
- the angle is an acute angle.
4. A sensor washing device according to claim 1, wherein
- said plurality of nozzles are located in said transition portion at a top of said ring portion; and
- a bottom of said ring portion is devoid of any nozzles.
5. A sensor washing device according to claim 1, wherein
- said attachment side of said ring portion includes at least one engagement member.
6. A sensor washing device according to claim 1, wherein
- said washer housing, said ring portion, and said transition portion form a unitary one-piece member.
7. A sensor washing device, comprising:
- a sensor having a detecting head;
- a shroud having a front wall, a rear wall opposite said front wall, and an inner receiving portion, said front wall having an opening that receives the detecting head of the sensor lens; and
- a washer housing coupled to a front face of said receiving portion of said shroud, said washer housing including a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, said fluid source attachment configured to receive fluid, and said ring portion having, a main opening generally aligned with said opening of said front wall of said shroud, an attachment side configured to mount said washer housing to said shroud, and a washing side that frames the detecting head of the sensor, said washing side being in fluid communication with said fluid source attachment, and a plurality of nozzles being disposed in a transition portion of said washer housing between said ring portion and said fluid source attachment of said washer housing, said plurality of nozzles being configured to discharge fluid to said washer side and radially inwardly towards said main opening that frames the detecting head of the sensor, wherein said washer housing, said ring portion, and said transition portion are stationary with respect to one another, and wherein an inner surface of said opening of said shroud includes at least one engagement member that engages a corresponding engagement member of said attachment side of said ring portion of said washer housing.
8. A sensor washing device according to claim 7, wherein
- said fluid source attachment extends from said transition portion in a direction away from said washing side of said ring portion at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said ring portion.
9. A sensor washing system according to claim 8, wherein
- said shroud includes sidewalls extending between said front wall and said rear wall, and top and bottom walls extending between said sidewalls, said top wall including a recessed cutout portion; and
- said fluid source attachment of said washer housing rests in said recessed cutout portion.
10. A sensor washing device according to claim 9, wherein
- the angle of said fluid source attachment is an acute angle.
11. A sensor washing device according to claim 7, wherein
- said opening of said shroud includes an extension that extends outwardly from said front wall of said shroud for receiving said transition and ring portions of said washer housing.
12. A sensor washing device according to claim 11, wherein
- said receiving portion includes a body section inside of said shroud, said body section is shaped to receive the sensor.
13. A sensor washing device according to claim 12, wherein
- a top wall of said shroud includes a recessed cutout portion that is above said body section of said receiving portion, said recessed cutout portion is configured to receive at least a portion of said fluid source attachment of said washer housing.
14. A sensor washing device according to claim 7, wherein
- said plurality of nozzles are located in said transition portion at a top of said ring portion.
15. A sensor washing device according to claim 14, wherein
- a bottom of said ring portion is devoid of any nozzles.
16. A sensor washing device according to claim 7, wherein
- said plurality of nozzles being defined by a plurality of tabs extending from said transition portion toward said main opening of said ring portion, thereby forming fluid path slots of said plurality of nozzles therebetween.
17. A sensor washing device according to claim 7, wherein
- said washer housing, said ring portion, and said transition portion form a unitary one-piece member.
18. A sensor washing device, comprising:
- a sensor having a detecting head;
- a shroud having a front wall, a rear wall opposite said front wall, and an inner receiving portion, said front wall having an opening that receives the detecting head of the sensor lens, said shroud including sidewalls extending between said front wall and said rear wall, and top and bottom walls extending between said sidewalls, said top wall including a recessed cutout portion; and
- a washer housing coupled to a front face of said receiving portion of said shroud, said washer housing including a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, said fluid source attachment configured to receive fluid, said fluid source attachment rests in said recessed cutout portion, and said ring portion having, a main opening generally aligned with said opening of said front wall of said shroud, an attachment side configured to mount said washer housing to said shroud, and a washing side that frames the detecting head of the sensor, said washing side being in fluid communication with said fluid source attachment, and a plurality of nozzles being disposed in a transition portion of said washer housing between said ring portion and said fluid source attachment of said washer housing, said plurality of nozzles being configured to discharge fluid to said washer side and radially inwardly towards said main opening that frames the detecting head of the sensor.
19. A sensor washing device, comprising:
- a sensor having a detecting head;
- a shroud having a front wall, a rear wall opposite said front wall, and an inner receiving portion, said front wall having an opening that receives the detecting head of the sensor lens; and
- a washer housing coupled to a front face of said receiving portion of said shroud, said washer housing including a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, said fluid source attachment configured to receive fluid, and said ring portion having, a main opening generally aligned with said opening of said front wall of said shroud, an attachment side configured to mount said washer housing to said shroud, and a washing side that frames the detecting head of the sensor, said washing side being in fluid communication with said fluid source attachment, and a plurality of nozzles being disposed in a transition portion of said washer housing between said ring portion and said fluid source attachment of said washer housing, said plurality of nozzles being configured to discharge fluid to said washer side and radially inwardly towards said main opening that frames the detecting head of the sensor, and said plurality of nozzles being defined by a plurality of tabs extending from said transition portion toward said main opening of said ring portion, thereby forming fluid path slots of said plurality of nozzles therebetween.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 19, 2017
Date of Patent: Aug 27, 2019
Patent Publication Number: 20180078974
Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc. (Carthage, IL)
Inventor: Vladimir Karasik (Walled Lake, MI)
Primary Examiner: Kimberly N. Kakalec
Application Number: 15/491,551
International Classification: B08B 3/02 (20060101); B08B 3/04 (20060101); G02B 27/00 (20060101);